Seachem Ammonia Alert Tag - Reusable?

[huckjai]

Hey reefers, I'm using the Seachem Ammonia Alert Tags in my QTs. Just wondering if I dry them out after use, can I use them again later? or do I need to keep them wet?

Thanks!

 

[Malifry97]

They are packaged dry correct? If so I don’t see why they wouldn’t be able to be dried and reused

 

[huckjai]

They are packaged dry correct? If so I don’t see why they wouldn’t be able to be dried and reused

Yes they are packaged dry. Just not sure if the water activates the chemicals to detect ammonia, and if it dries out will it affect it in some way.

 

[Malifry97]

Yes they are packaged dry. Just not sure if the water activates the chemicals to detect ammonia, and if it dries out will it affect it in some way.

Oh didn’t think about that #reefsquad may be able to get you some help

 

[dbl]

It's a good question as I've always just started with a new one. Curious what others have to say about it.

 

[DLHDesign]

Yes; they can be reused even if dried out - I've done this numerous times while going through a TTM cycle and have seen positive reports on the second and third use.
But as it's one of those things that protects the life of the fish you're keeping, I wouldn't go overboard on it. I wouldn't, for example, suggest keeping them dried for any significant length of time and then attempt to reuse them.

 

[huckjai]

Yes; they can be reused even if dried out - I've done this numerous times while going through a TTM cycle and have seen positive reports on the second and third use.
But as it's one of those things that protects the life of the fish you're keeping, I wouldn't go overboard on it. I wouldn't, for example, suggest keeping them dried for any significant length of time and then attempt to reuse them.

Thanks! I use it for my TTM as well, and I wanted to dry them out between tank transfers in case any parasites are on them. Maybe I'll just dip/clean them in freshwater to keep them wet.

 

[DLHDesign]

I've always rinsed mine along with everything else in a diluted vinegar bath, then let them air dry. It's the "air dry" part that took care of any attached parasites, so be sure to allow time for them to dry completely. I wouldn't store them wet, in other words.
Every TTM cycle that I ran, I bought 2 new badges and rotated them along with my other equipment (pumps, heaters, tanks, etc.). I threw them out after. If I had a longer-than-normal observation period, I'd buy a third badge specifically for that.

 

[huckjai]

I've always rinsed mine along with everything else in a diluted vinegar bath, then let them air dry. It's the "air dry" part that took care of any attached parasites, so be sure to allow time for them to dry completely. I wouldn't store them wet, in other words.
Every TTM cycle that I ran, I bought 2 new badges and rotated them along with my other equipment (pumps, heaters, tanks, etc.). I threw them out after. If I had a longer-than-normal observation period, I'd buy a third badge specifically for that.

Sounds like a good approach. I'm just starting to add fish, so will be constantly doing TTMs. I might just do 2 new badges per 2 cycles. Can get quite costly.

 

[DLHDesign]

Can get quite costly.

So are the fish you are getting, and the time you are spending. ;-) $15 for the pair every TTM isn't that much to spend for the piece of mind that comes with knowing you have working indicators, in my opinion.
But I also made sure to run more than one fish through TTM at the same time, which helped to optimize my costs. Not everyone has that option, of course. I think that so long as you watch for behavior changes and other stress indicators, the badges are just a fail-safe/backup anyways.
Best of luck with your TTM! It's my favorite method - aside from buying pre-QT'ed fish, of course.

 

[huckjai]

So are the fish you are getting, and the time you are spending. ;-) $15 for the pair every TTM isn't that much to spend for the piece of mind that comes with knowing you have working indicators, in my opinion.
But I also made sure to run more than one fish through TTM at the same time, which helped to optimize my costs. Not everyone has that option, of course. I think that so long as you watch for behavior changes and other stress indicators, the badges are just a fail-safe/backup anyways.
Best of luck with your TTM! It's my favorite method - aside from buying pre-QT'ed fish, of course.

Are you also doing Copper treatment with your TTMs? I'm debating whether to do it as well or to try the Hydrogen Peroxide method.

 

[DLHDesign]

No. One of the major points in favor of TTM is that it's relatively gentle on the fish. A bit of stress during the moves from one tank to the next, but otherwise their environment is normal and stable. Adding additional treatment methods into the mix not only eliminates (or at best reduces) this benefit, it also makes the whole process more complicated and, thus - prone to human error.

My opinion is that if you are using TTM, then use TTM as it is written. If you want to (or need to) use copper, use copper. And so on. What I caution against is playing mad-scientist with your treatment methods. Unless you really know what you are doing and are experienced in the methods you are experimenting with, of course - but those reefers aren't asking my opinions on things; I'm asking theirs... <grin> And while Humblefish (et. al.) has an experimental process outline for combining TTM and H2O2, it's just that - experimental. If you're just starting out and have never done TTM before, I can promise you that the first time through is overwhelming enough. Keep everything as simple as possible and you will dramatically increase your chances of success.